Karaoke fans have more love for singing than they do talent ART EXHIBITS AND OPENINGS

DEAR ABBY: My wife, “Karen,” loves to sing karaoke along with many others, most of whom are vocally challenged. Listening to some of them can be grueling when we go out. Karen knows many of these “performers,” and when they finish, she goes and tells them what a great job they’ve done. When I asked her why she gives the false compliments, she said, “I don’t want to hurt their feelings.”

Well, the same goes for Karen. The other singers compliment her to the point that she now believes she has a competition-worthy voice. In reality, while her voice isn’t terrible, it’s nowhere near what she thinks it is.

My wife is the love of my life and the nicest person I’ve ever known. I’m concerned for the future if someone should ever be honest with her about this because, so far, no one has been. Should I tell her the truth to save her from potential public embarrassment, or should I keep my mouth shut?

— COVERING MY EARS

DEAR COVERING: Unless your wife decides to audition for “American Idol,” the chances of her being booed off stage are slim. You don’t have to sing her praises, but I see nothing positive to be gained Your child may learn to “toughen up” later, but at the age of 2 or 3, it’s a bit premature. The child who may be in for trouble is his cousin, because learning concepts like sharing and empathy enable children to successfully socialize with others throughout their lives.

DEAR ABBY: I know for a fact that gifts I have given to family members are often immediately given away. Should I confront them about this? I’d like to suggest that instead of giving the gift away they please return it to me. Of course, I know I could just quit giving them gifts. But I’d like for them to know the reason, instead of appearing to be stingy. Anxious for your opinion.

— ANXIOUS IN FORT WORTH

DEAR ANXIOUS: This is a delicate situation, but it can be handled if you’re careful not to cause embarrassment when you tell your relatives you know what they’ve been doing with your gifts. Perhaps, rather than say you will just quit giving them gifts, you should offer to give them gift cards for a store they like. That way they can have something they will enjoy.

MUSEUMS

— Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme; also “Oscar Fehrer: Reflecting and Reflections,” “A Room of Her Own,” all through Jan. 28; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun.; (860) 434-5542.

— Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London; through Jan. 21; also “On Another Note: The Intersection of Art and Music” through March 11, “What’s New? Modern and Contemporary Art” through April 1; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun.; (860) 443-2545.

— Mystic Seaport, 75 Greenmanville Ave.; through Dec. 31 in C.D. Mallory Building; International Marine Art Exhibition through Dec. 31 in the Maritime Gallery; “Contemporary American Marine Art” through Jan. in the R.J. Schaefer Building; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; (860) 572-0722.

— Slater Museum, 108 Crescent St., Norwich; through Jan. 15; also “Bela Lyon Pratt: Sculptor of Monument” through Jan. 15; hours 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tues.-Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun.; (860) 887-2506.

GALLERIES

— Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly, 7 Canal St.; through Dec. 31; hours 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Wed.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun.; (401) 596-2221.

— Bartleby’s Cafe, 46 West Main St., Mystic; through Dec. 31; hours 7 a.m.-8 p.m. daily; (860) 2450017.

— Classic Framers, 2 High St., Westerly; through Jan. 31; hours 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.2 p.m. Sat.; (401) 596-6820.

— Cooley Gallery, 25 Lyme St., Old Lyme; through Jan. 7; hours noon-5 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun.; cooleygallery.com.

— Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., New London; through Jan 30; hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and two hours before all Garde performances; (860) 536-6364.

— Lori Warner Studio/Gallery, 21 Main St., Chester; through Jan. 3; hours 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun.-Mon., 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; (860) 3224265.

— Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, 84 Lyme St., Old Lyme; through Jan. 20; hours 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; (860) 434-5232.

— Lyme Art Association, 90 Lyme St., Old Lyme; through Jan. 5; hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat.; (860) 434-7802.

— Maple and Main Gallery, 1 Maple St., Chester; through Dec. 31; also “Holiday Exhibit” through Jan. 21; hours 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.Thurs., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun.; (860) 526-6065.

— Marshview Gallery, Estuary Council of Seniors, 220 Main St.,; Old Saybrook; through Dec. 31; hours 7:45 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat.; (860) 388-1611.

— Mystic and Noank Library, 40 Library St., Mystic; through Dec. 31; hours 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.Wed., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thurs.-Sat.; (860) 536-7721.

— Oliver Jensen Gallery, Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, 1 Railroad Ave., Essex; through Dec. 29; hours vary, call ahead; (860) 7670103.

— Six Summit Gallery, 6 Summit St., Ivoryton; through Jan. 7; also “Soul Wanderers” through Jan. 17; hours vary, call for details; (860) 581-8332.

— Spectrum Gallery, 61 Main St., Centerbrook; through Jan. 14; December hours noon-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun.; (860) 767-0742.

— Studio 33 Art and Frame Gallery, 140 Bank St., New London; through Jan. 12; hours 9 a.m.5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat.; (860) 460-6263.

— Westerly Library, 44 Broad St.; through Dec. 28; hours 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.; (401) 596-2877.